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Police end investigation on Jackson student who died by suicide after planning school shooting

The boy wrote memos detailing his plans for a school shooting.
Shane Snider, WKYC

JACKSON TOWNSHIP -- Police have concluded their investigation on a Jackson Memorial Middle School student who shot himself in a school bathroom after planning a school shooting.

Police have determined that the boy, who was a 13-year-old seventh grade student, acted alone when he brought a .22-caliber long rifle, ammunition and homemade explosive devices meant to cause distraction with intent to carry out a school shooting Feb. 20.

The boy entered a middle school bathroom and shot himself in the head. The Summit County Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide.

The middle and high schools were placed on lockdown after the shooting and police later revealed memos written by the student, indicating his plans for a school shooting.

RELATED | Memos reveal Jackson student who died by suicide had plans to shoot up school

Detectives found an eight-step plan on the boy's phone detailing his intentions and praising the Columbine High School shooters.

An entry dated Feb. 19 said, ".......this will be bigger than anything this country's ever seen, .......I've been planning this for a few weeks and thought about it a few months, I will never be forgotten I'll be a stain in American history and the [redacted last name]'s history, it's going to be so much fun. They won't expect a thing."

Investigators said they aren't sure why the boy changed his mind on shooting others.

Police on Tuesday released reports related to the incident, including a transcription of interviews with the boy's family.

The boy's mother's fiance told police the 13-year-old rarely left the house and spent most of his time playing video games, specifically "Call of Duty" and other war themed games.

He also told police the boy "couldn't stop talking about Columbine" on the day before the shooting and had frequently discussed the cluster of student suicides that occurred in the area.

"When he did talk about this, he just told us how he can't understand how anybody would do that," the boy's mother's fiance said.

The boy also had a love for firearms, according to his mother's fiance.

Detectives found one gun in the boy's bedroom and a pistol between the mattress and box spring in his mother's room. His parents told police the guns had been locked up and the key went missing, so they were unsure how the lock was removed.

The boy had experience with guns after visits to a shooting range, but his father told police he didn't believe his son had ever used a .22-caliber rifle.

"The first time he shot the pistol, he was better than me, and I've been shooting pistol for years," the boy's father told police. "He was a natural with the pistol."

The boy's parents, who are separated, said their son was "kind, gentle and selfless." They also said they noticed no change in their son's behavior in the days leading up to the shooting.

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